Adams' success just a Stone's roll away

December 21, 2006|BRUCE MARSHALL Tribune Staff Writer

If Paul and Rae Stone are typical of the kids who compete in the Michiana West Conference High School Bowling League -- and they are -- then the future of bowling is in capable young hands. The Stone siblings, both honor students, are among the top bowlers on the Adams boys and girls teams in the high school league. Neither Stone has ever had a lasting interest in any sport except bowling. "I played football as a freshman," said Paul Stone, who, as junior this year, is averaging 183 in high school league play. "But that wasn't for me. My parents set up a plastic bowling set in the basement for me when I was 2 and told me to go at it. I haven't stopped since. That plastic bowling set is still in the basement." Paul Stone, who is in all advance placement classes at Adams, is a planner. "I'd like to bowl when I'm at Purdue. I talked to the coaches this summer at a tournament in West Lafayette, and they told me to send a tape. But everyone has to go through the try-out to make the team." In addition to bowling for Purdue, Paul Stone will study aeronautical engineering and learn to fly with the Navy ROTC. After his stint in the Navy, he'll become a commercial pilot. After talking with Paul on Tuesday night while watching his sister compete at Quick's Lanes in Plymouth, there is not much doubt this will happen. Rae Stone played basketball in middle school, but hasn't played since. "I really like the competition of bowling. And the best thing is getting to meet the girls I bowl against. And I like bowling with my teammates." A sophomore at Adams, Rae Stone has gone one better than her brother in the classroom. She is in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program which consists of all honors classes. "I go to school, bowl, eat dinner, study, study, study, then go to bed," said Rae Stone. "That's what my life is right now." Rae, who is averaging 182 in league play this year, is the 2005 sectional singles champion and had the second-highest game in the league this year with a 237. That is, until she was knocked down a notch on Tuesday night when Adams freshman Alex Kimm rolled a 266, the highest game in the girls' league this year. The shy Kimm had strikes in the first six frames, "but I got really nervous after the sixth strike," Kimm admitted. "I got a new ball two weeks ago and it's helped a lot. I have more confidence when I roll it." Rae Stone still has the highest two-game series in the league, a 460, but Kimm is right behind her now with a 446. Christin Fluckey of LaVille has the second highest game this season with a 245. Last year, Fluckey rolled the only 300 game in the West Division Conference -- boys or girls. The West Division of the League consists of 22 teams -- 12 boys' teams and 10 girls' teams. The league is strictly a scratch league and each team member bowls head-to-head with that night's opponent's team member. Each team member gets one point for beating their opponent and the team knocking down the most pins gets five points. On a statewide basis, there are currently 318 teams at 170 schools with bowling 'club' teams. Although bowling is not a varsity sport, there is a movement toward that direction which has been met with resistance from the IHSAA. The official reason for not sanctioning bowling from the IHSAA is kids will be hurt because they won't be able to bowl in other leagues during the high school varsity season. The underlying factor, as always, is money. The IHSAA doesn't want to fund another non-revenue sport. Michiana West Conference League Girls Team Standings (through week eight): Penn 8-0, Clay 8-0, Adams 6-2, Riley 5-3, LaVille 4-4, Washington 3-5, Bremen 3-5, Mishawaka 2-6, John Glenn 1-7, Plymouth 0-8. Girls high games and series week eight (two game series): 190, 187, 377, Sami Six 184, Kayce Bonney 180, Rachel Harvey 203, Toireasa Schutz 199, Jessie Szczechowski 196, Kayla Roche 184, Danielle Szczechowski 180, Michelle Grammatica 203, 211, Alex Kimm 266, Emily Cranmer 223m Brittani Gatchell 189, 197, Julia Yoder 199, 200, Allyson Tharp 192, Stephanie Ruthruff 194, 189, Kristin Sinka 184, 183, St. Joseph Valley United States Bowling Congress Association (SJVUSBCA) Hall of Fame Ballots. Anyone wishing to nominate a candidate for consideration for election to the new SJVUSBCA Hall of Fame is reminded that ballots are due no later than December 31, 2006. If you need an official ballot, contact Joyce Katona, SJVUSBCA President 256-2626 or John Strauser, Chairman of the Hall of Fame Committee 259-5232.